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I wish to speak from my experience as a therapist for children and families. 

I work daily with children and families who are struggling to address mental health challenges. One example of this is a young woman I worked with who had anxiety so severe she often hurt herself and felt unable to control her actions. She received therapy support from Multnomah County because her symptoms were self-injurious. 

Another example of this is a family of six I work with; I see the parents and children in therapy sessions. Both parents grew up with abuse and neglect, and are now struggling to find ways they can bring their children up without resorting to violence. They work daily to support their children, and are able to continue the therapy for their family because of public service funding for mental health treatment. 

A final example is a little boy who was sexually abused by members of his family, and is now in foster care with a family who wishes to adopt and care for him. The foster family is surprised and confused by the way the boy does not respond to tenderness and affection, but instead acts as if he does not care if he ever receives affection again. In play therapy, he often uses toys to depict scenes of trickery, deception and abandonment. 

I appreciate the opportunity for a forum to talk about these stories, because I believe it is these people I work with who will most be affected by the passage of these measures. 

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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